Starship's Mark Abrahamian dies at age 46

Sad news today: Mark Abrahamian, the lead guitarist for Starship, died of a heart attack after a concert Sunday night in Norfolk, Neb., according to the Associated Press. He was 46. Abrahamian had been touring with Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, since 2000.

Starship was the opening band for a concert that also featured Survivor and Boston.

“We had just finished the show. We were back in the dressing room eating. He apparently told the bass player he wasn’t feeling well,” Road manager Scott Harrison said Monday. “It’s a shock to everyone.”

According to his official website, Abrahamian had played with a slew of bands and musicians over the years, including members of Toto, Survivor, The Tubes, Loverboy, The Knack and Christopher Cross.

About this blog

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times correspondent Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to big hair.